Saturday, 24th September

Portmore Loch, Day Session

A chilly, bright start to the day.  The wind picked up a bit from the south later, bringing good cloud cover.  The temperature improved a bit as well, but in the cloud the breeze had a really raw edge to it.  The water was crystal clear, but still had a suspension of ball algae in the downwind areas.  There were still shoals of sticklebacks in evidence and Stevie reported that spectacular fry-bashing sessions had been happening on the calm days.  As the day progressed, a trickle of lake olives came down the water.  Unfortunately, the fish were not interested in them.  The reports coming in the past week or so all said that Portmore was fishing very well, and that dries, dries, dries were the answer.  Alas, the marriage made in Hell that seems to be Portmore and the Heriot's club continued!  Dries were a complete waste of time and effort.  In fact, most things seemed to be a complete waste of time and effort.

Jimmy Millar with his favourite colour -- blue

The only spell of real action came late morning from the lonesome pine to the alders in the big bay.  The several boats fishing there all seemed to pick up a fish or two, mostly to yellow or white boobies on medium sinkers, such as DI-3.    The only fish caught by other means went as follows: Jimmy Millar had two on a hot-head damsel on floating line, mesel' one on a cruncher and slow glass, and Ron McCarron one on a silver muddler and slow sink.

Top rod Richard Goddard nets the first of 5

Best bags were by Tommy Steven with 4, and Richard Goddard with 5.  Richard took 2 in the early spell mentioned above, then had 3 rapid in the last hour, anchored off the home shore.

The club's total for 17 rods was 16 fish

A word of caution to all owners of Minn Kota electric outboards... on three separate occasions this year, one of our club members has lost the propeller from his outboard -- while in use!  Make sure yours is secure.

Photos: Canon 10D with 28-135 mm IS lens and polarising filter